Key-operated stringed musical instrument



April 30, 1935. E. G.'A. NYLUND 1,999,914

' KEY OPERATED STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed June 7, 1934 Patented A r. 30, 1935 1,333,311

KEY-OPERATED STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Emil Gustav Alfred Nylund, Uppsala, Sweden Application June 7, 1934, Serial No. 129,494 R SS U In Sweden June 15, 1933 1 Claim. (Cl. 84-240).

This invention refers to key-operated stringed inserted connecting said lever II with the opmusical instruments, such as pianos. The chief crating lever I5 for the hammer I6. object of this invention is to render it possible to The pull rod I4 is at both ends provided with concentrate the key-operated mechanism and nuts I'I screwed thereon. Said nuts have crossmake it more compact. holes I8 through which a thin pin or the like 5 Another object of this invention is to render may be introduced for turning the round nuts it possible to use so called balanced keys, i. e. II for adjustment. Between the nuts I1 and keys in the shape of levers of the first kind" the levers II, I5 felt pads I9 are inserted. The (having the fulcrum between the power and the pull rod II passes through an-oblong hole or slot 10 load), in pianos of small sizes, such as miniature in the key I between its pivot 2a and its front 10 pianos. By use of this invention it is possible or finger end (touch end). to shorten the back part of the lever (behind The standing or upright hammer I6, its opthe fulcrum) and still attain a satisfactory operating rod I5 and the adjacent parts of the eration of the mechanism and a good touch and action are of the conventional construction 5 a standard touch depth. used in pianos and form no part of this in- 15 As a non-limitative example it may be menvention. For this reason they need not be tioned that by use of this invention it is posdescribed in detail. The hammer strikes the corsible to build very small pianos, for instance, responding string or strings 2I. having a length of I2I cm.,' a height of 85 cm. The stationary frame of the piano is indicated an anda width or depth of 40 cm., but still as good as a whole by 22. The parts 2 and 6 are rigidly 2 as normal pianos. secured to said frame.

Another object of this invention isto construct The front or touch part of the key I from its such small pianos with a very rapid repetition, free end to the fulcrum 2a is of standard length though the length of the keys is reduced, while and has the standard depth of touch. The back ,5 simultaneously the striking of the hammers will part of the key I between the fulcrum 2a and be as good as in normal pianos. the point Ila is on the contrary shortened.

Though the mechanism in accordance with This device acts as follows: i this invention is very compact, it is nevertheless In striking or depressing the key I, the motion absolutely reliable. is transferred to the lever II actuating the op- O h r objects of t ven ion will be viden crating lever is via the pull rod It so that the 30 from the following specification and claim. hammer or 1 b l5 strikes the string 2|. In

One embodiment of a mechanism or action in spite of t fact th t th b k part of th key accordance with this invention is illustrated in has been shortened, a m m; motion is tt the annexed drawin h w a cross-Section inasmuch as the lever II will magnify or amplify between two keys of a piano mechanism. the motion of t key and gives t pull rod or 85 Ref n to the w ng, I indicates akey wire I4 the same motion as in a normal piano pivoted on a support 2a on a stationary frame having keys f the standard 1ength Thus, t or base 2 by means of a pin 3 entering an oblongtouch is s as good as in big pianes'and a very or oval slot 4 in the y. Thus, the key is 01 the rapid repetition is attained. When the key is ba a c typ has its fulcrum 3 at an let loose or released, the lump of lead 8 will by 1181 Point between the ends- The key is guided gravity return the parts to their normal positions in the usual manner by means of other pins 5 Shown in t drawing,

fixed in a stationary, base 5 and entering It is very easy to adjust the mechanism shown, long recesses I in the lower side of the key. because 11 back h play may b eliminated 45 A leaden wei ht 8 i secured to (moulded by adjusting the effective length of the rod 14 by a hole in) the back end 1 the y and keeps means of either or both of the nuts I I which it normalb' pressed against a lower cushion 9 may eesfly be exactly adjusted, on the base 2. On said stationary base a pivot w t I claim 1 60 I9 is Secured forming fulcl'um single In a small piano, in combination, a. string, a

armed (non-balanced) lever II which by means key of t balance t having t fulcrum t .of a rounded proje tion Ila rests on a t'p an inner point, said key having substantially I2 on the upperside of the back or inner end of standardlength of its front part in front of said the key I. Through a recess I3 in the opp site, fulcrum but being shortened at its back end free end of the'lever. II a pull rod or wire II is behind said fulcrum, a stationary pivot, a lever 55 .wwi MACH uu emu pivuh U'DOVE S510. xey, an operative connection between said lever end and the back end of said key behind the fulcrum thereof, a hammer mechanism vertically below 5 the back part of said key and adapted to strike said string, and a pull member of adjustable eflective length which passes through a slot in said key and interconnects said lever and said hammer mechanism, said lever having such a ratio of transmission that the shortening of said key is compensated.

EMIL GUSTAV ALFRED NYLUND. 

